National Book Festival names Erivo, Scorsese, Patchett

The Library of Congress has set Cynthia Erivo, Martin Scorsese and Ann Patchett among the headline names for its 2026 National Book Festival, part of a lineup of more than 80 authors announced on July 7. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., according to the Library’s event page. The daylong event will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. Admission is free, though tickets are required. The Library said a selection of programs will be livestreamed online and videos of all programs will be posted shortly after the festival. Northern Virginia Magazine separately highlighted Erivo, Scorsese and Patchett in coverage published July 8, describing the event as a star-heavy edition of the annual festival. ### Which names are leading this year’s lineup? Cynthia Erivo, Ann Patchett and Martin Scorsese appear near the top of the Library’s announced lineup, which also includes Kate McKinnon, Annette Gordon-Reed, Douglas Brinkley, Tia Williams and Arthur Sze. (newsroom.loc.gov) The Library’s newsroom release said the 2026 program features more than 80 authors. (loc.gov) Neely Tucker, writing on the Library of Congress blog, said festivalgoers will be able to watch Scorsese screen some of his favorite film clips, hear Erivo discuss her book and see Patchett speak about her new bestselling title. The same post placed those appearances at the Washington convention center on Aug. 22. ### What, exactly, is the festival offering beyond author talks? (newsroom.loc.gov) The National Book Festival is an annual Library of Congress event that brings together bestselling authors and thousands of readers for author talks, panel discussions, book signings and other activities, according to the program overview. The 2026 event page also says some sessions will be livestreamed and all program videos will be available after the festival. (blogs.loc.gov) Northern Virginia Magazine reported that this year’s festival will feature conversations across several genres and additional programming tied to music, film, history and folklife. The Library’s July 7 release said the new programming is connected to its America 250 initiative. ### Why is America 250 part of the program? (loc.gov) The Library of Congress said the 2026 festival includes new programming to celebrate America 250, the broader national commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Its July 7 announcement described the festival as part of the institution’s “America 250: It’s Your Story” effort. (northernvirginiamag.com) The added programming is one reason the lineup extends beyond novelists and traditional literary panels. The Library’s materials pair authors with participants from film, history and other cultural fields, including Scorsese. ### How do tickets and access work? The Aug. 22 event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required, according to the official event listing. (newsroom.loc.gov) The same page says the festival will take place from morning through evening at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the nation’s capital. The Library’s overview describes the festival as a large public gathering built for readers and families, with signings and activities alongside stage programming. (blogs.loc.gov) That format has remained central to the event even as the guest list changes year to year. ### Where can readers find the full schedule from here? The Library of Congress has posted the 2026 National Book Festival event page and related blog and newsroom announcements with the author lineup and program details. (loc.gov) The next key date is Saturday, Aug. 22, when Erivo, Scorsese, Patchett and other scheduled participants are due at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. (loc.gov)